💔 SHE WAS 13… — LAYLA JEFFERY’S AUNT BREAKS HER SILENCE AFTER THE TEEN’S B0DY WAS F0UND, AND WHAT SHE SHARED ABOUT THE HOURS JUST BEFORE LAYLA WENT MISSING IS LEAVING PEOPLE HEARTBROKEN
Layla Jeffery, 13, was last seen in Donald on July 4. (Suppied: Victoria Police)
In short:
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Victorian teenager Layla Jeffery.
The small west Victorian town of Donald has rallied around Layla’s family, after police say she was found dead in bushland this week.
The 13-year-old was last seen in Donald on July 4, prompting a large-scale search of the surrounding area.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder after human remains were discovered in the search for missing Victorian girl Layla Jeffery.
The 13-year-old was last seen on McCracken Street in Donald on July 4, and was reported missing the next day.
On Thursday, a wide-ranging search of bushland recovered human remains believed to be that of the missing girl.
A teenage boy was arrested by detectives on Friday and faced a children’s court on Saturday evening charged with one count of murder. He was remanded in custody.
Kaitlyn Cheyne says her niece, Layla Jeffery, was a sweet and shy girl. (Supplied)
The family of Layla Jeffery say they are overwhelmed by the support shown from the local community in the wake of the tragedy.
Layla’s aunt, Kaitlyn Cheyne, said the family was struggling to come to terms with the news.
“It’s extremely hard right now,” she said.
“We are absolutely devastated to not have Layla anymore, especially under these circumstances.”
Ms Cheyne said her niece was a “very sweet and fairly shy girl”.
“She was very sassy when she wanted to be because she knew her own value really well,” she said.
“She was 13 going on 30.”
Layla Jeffery and her mum, Tahlia. (Supplied)
Reflecting on her colourful personality, Ms Cheyne said Layla was always bedazzling her belongings and loved fashion.
“She had her phone and her [Nintendo] Switch and everything absolutely bedazzled,” Ms Cheyne said.
“Whenever she would buy anything, she would get a matching one for her best friend.”
Donald dons pink for Layla
The local community in Donald has been asked to wear a splash of pink to the town’s football, netball and hockey games today to remember the 13-year-old.
The idea was proposed by Layla Jeffrey’s friends, and was embraced fully as teams played their matches in the neighbouring town of Charlton on Saturday.
A local sports club donned pink on Saturday in memory of Layla Jeffery. (ABC News: Angus Verley)
“As a close-knit community club, our hearts are with Layla’s family, her friends, and everyone whose lives have been touched by this unimaginable loss,” the Donald Hockey Club said in a social media post.
“Some of our local community members have organised pink balloons, and many of Layla’s friends will be wearing pink ribbons as their hair in tribute.”
Players embraced before a netball game on Saturday, with many wearing pink and black armbands. (ABC News: Angus Verley)
Layla’s aunt said her niece’s friends coming up with the idea for the town to wear pink was “absolutely the sweetest thing”.
“We are getting an absolutely overwhelming amount of support,” she said.
“It’s been incredible. The community here have really being helping.
“They didn’t just help with the search, they’ve also been bringing by food or taking food donations so we don’t have to think about it for the foreseeable future.”
Layla Jeffery’s friends paid tribute to the missing 13-year-old at their under 14s netball game. (ABC News: Angus Verley)
The Donald Royal Blues Football Netball Hockey Club said on its Facebook page that the town of about 1,500 people “is hurting”.
“On behalf of the Royal Blues, we extend our deepest condolences to Layla’s family, her friends and everyone affected by this tragic loss,” the club wrote.
Country community shell-shocked by death
Family friend Peta Edmonds, who set up a crowdfunding page for Layla’s family, said they were “grieving the heartbreaking loss”.
“Layla was so much more than a news story. She was a beautiful little girl who was deeply loved by her family and touched the hearts of our community,”
Ms Edmonds said.
“Donald is a small country town, and this tragedy has shaken every one of us to our core. We are grieving alongside Layla’s family, and right now the greatest kindness we can show is to respect their wishes, honour Layla’s memory, and surround them with love and support.”
The online fundraiser, created on Friday, raised more than $18,000 in contributions within 24 hours.
Ms Edmonds called on the public to respect the family’s wish for privacy.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the death is still looming over the town, as search teams combed through bushland south of Apex Park on Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday, SES and police continued to search the parklands on the edge of Donald where Layla Jeffery was found. (ABC News: Angus Verley)
Buloke Shire councillor Charmaine Delaney said the town had been devastated by the news.
“We’re encouraging people to take their time for themselves and understand they’re going to feel fragile and angry, and they do have a right to feel both,” Cr Delaney said.
“We’re looking at — when the family is ready — offering a site for a memorial.”
Donald resident John McConville said the community was feeling “sick in the stomach” following the tragedy.
“We’re feeling a bit helpless, is probably the word,” he said.
“We’re wondering what we could have done or what we should have done.”
John McConville is a long-time resident of the Victorian town of Donald. (ABC News: Angus Verley)
Mr McConville said the death came as a particular shock given the closeness of the town.
“When it’s a population of 1,500 and you know most people,” he said.
“We knew of Layla, just a wonderful young lady and this shouldn’t happen.”
SOURCE: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-11/layla-jeffrey-donald-missing-teenager/106904920
